Test Technician – Product Testing

Smiths Group; Morton Grove (IL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

John Crane is seeking a Test Technician to lead assembly and testing of prototype mechanical seals, analyze data, and document findings for product development. The role emphasizes safe operation, troubleshooting, and contributing ideas for test equipment design.

Reporting to the Lab Manager in the Innovation Group, you will interpret drawings, support test plans, and generate written and graphed data reports for stakeholders, supporting continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Technical Degree with 2–3 years exp preferred.
• At least 3 years' experience in similar hands-on role.
• Basic CAD skills.
• Apprenticeship with manufacturing organization with focus on mechanical engineering.

Responsibilities

• Interpret engineering drawings, test specifications and requirements.
• Assist innovation and engineering teams with test plans and experiments.
• Assemble and test prototype products.
• Record new processes and findings and create tests/data reports.
• Follow safety requirements and 5S workplace organization.

Skills

Hands-on experience

CAD skills

Problem solving

Apprenticeship

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Technical Degree

Job description

John Crane (www.johncrane.com) is a global leader in rotating equipment solutions, supplying engineered technologies and services to process industries. The company designs and manufactures a variety of products, including mechanical seals and systems, couplings, filtration systems and digital diagnostics technologies. John Crane customer service is accessed through a global network of more than 200 sales and service facilities in over 50 countries. Global reported revenue for fiscal year 2023 was in excess of $1.2 billion/1b GBP. John Crane is part of Smiths Group, a global leader in applying advanced technologies for markets in engineered components, energy, contraband detection, and communications.

Job Description

The Test Technician role reports to the Lab Manager within the Innovation Group. The Test Technician leads the assembly of prototype mechanical seals, conducts tests, analyzes and interprets data to ensure prototypes meet product requirements, while documenting findings and sharing insights with the team. Additionally, the role involves maintaining a safe work environment, troubleshooting equipment and prototype issues, and contributing ideas for the design of test equipment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Willingness to learn new equipment, processes and methods
• Interpret engineering drawings, test specifications and requirements
• Assist innovation and engineering teams with test plans and experiments
• Understand P&ID, valves, regulators, controllers, cooling system and sensors
• Knowledge of compression tube fittings
• Assembly and test prototype products
• Familiarity with laser etching
• Carrying out tests using bespoke test equipment
• Recording new processes and findings
• Create written and graphed test data reports to help conclude the outcome
• Present data to testing groups and stakeholders and provide insight on key test events
• Part processing - experimenting using manufacturing methods to meet final requirements
• Carry out inspection by using form tracer, profile tracer, CMM and Mitutoyo or similar machines
• Reconfigure equipment to complete nonstandard tests, based on requirements, design, and planning
• Self-manage tasks using planning tools
• Follow safety requirements and 5S workplace organization
• Drive the creation of written risk assessments
• Participating in continuous improvement initiatives
• Management of inventory for key NPD projects
• Apply a methodical approach to fault finding and RCA’s: for both testing equipment and new products
• Creating test procedures and SOPs for development projects

Qualifications

High School Diploma or equivalent required

Technical Degree (with 2 or 3 years exp) preferred

At least 3 years' experience in similar hands-on role

Basic CAD skills

Career experience in problem solving

Apprenticeship with manufacturing organization with focus on mechanical engineering

And/or:

• Technical hobby that incorporates analytical or creative thinking

Additional Information

Additional Information

With colleagues stretching across the globe, we are proud of our diversity. To foster inclusivity, we run employee resource groups (ERGs) to provide a safe space for employees to connect and support each other. Our cross-business ERGs include Veterans, Pride Network, Black Employee Network, Women@Work Network, and Neurodiversity.

Across our company, we recognize excellence, culminating in the Smiths Excellence Awards, our annual celebration of the most extraordinary activities, people, and projects that best showcase our strengths and help drive our business forward. We announce these on our annual Smiths Day, a global celebration of Smiths around our network.

Join us for a great career with competitive compensation and benefits, while helping engineer a better future.

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.